DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University entered the fourth quarter only trailing by three points before visiting Florida A&M University outscored the hosts 20-8 in the final 10 minutes to seal a 69-54 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference women's victory Monday evening in McDougald-McLendon Arena.
 
Four Rattlers scored in double figures and FAMU (13-11 Overall, 7-4 MEAC) used a 27-12 advantage on points off turnovers to complete the season series sweep of NCCU (4-18, 2-9).
 
Junior Morgan Jones and freshman Chantal Thomas led the Lady Eagles – who were decked out in pink uniforms in their support of the Play 4Kay initiative in the fight against women's cancers – with 12 points and three assists apiece.
 
Senior guard Khaderja poured in a game-high 17 points for Florida A&M. She was supported well with sophomore Dawn King connecting for 15 points, junior Alicia McCray sinking 12 points and senior Olivia Antilla tallying 11 points.
 
The Rattlers were a perfect 10 for 10 on free throw attempts and shot 42.9-percent from the field compared to 9 of 15 free throws and 37.9-percent accuracy from the floor by the Lady Eagles.
 
NCCU made its first six shot attempts to jump out to a 17-10 advantage. The early surge featured balanced scoring as six different Lady Eagles combined for the first 17 Maroon and Gray points.
 
Florida A&M pulled to within four at the end of the first quarter and then doubled up the Lady Eagles, 16-8, in the second stanza to take a 34-30 edge into the halftime intermission.
 
The Rattlers never trailed in the second half but an 11-0 run capped by a Jones old-fashion, 3-point play midway through the third quarter did knot the score for a fifth and final time at 43-43. A 3-pointer by King a couple possessions later put FAMU back ahead for good.
 
NCCU still only trailed 49-46 at the end of the third quarter but the Rattlers started the final period on a 10-3 run to extend its lead to double digits for majority of the play down the stretch.
 
The Lady Eagles outrebounded FAMU 39-36 but the Rattlers held a 12-8 advantage on the glass in the fourth quarter, including an 8-0 surplus on second-chance points over the final 10 minutes.
 
The freshman duo of Dominique Adams and Deja McCain each added six points for the Lady Eagles. Senior Tisha Dixon tacked on five points and a game-high 12 rebounds.
 
NCCU next plays two games in Baltimore, Maryland. The Lady Eagles will first play a rescheduled game at Coppin State University on Thursday at 5:30 p.m., before battling Morgan State University on Saturday at 2 p.m.